[Hemostasis disorders in patients with systemic AL-amyloidosis].

AIM: To analyze the frequency and nature of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in patients with systemic AL-amyloidosis and compare with laboratory changes in the hemostasis system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 40 patients with newly diagnosed AL-amyloidosis. To detect amyloid, all patients underwent bone marrow trephine biopsy and duodenal biopsy, and 28 (70%) patients underwent biopsy of the affected organ. Before the start of therapy, all patients were determined the platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen concentration, time of XIIa-dependent fibrinolysis, antithrombin III, D-dimer, activity of blood coagulation factors VIII, X and vWF. The statistical part of the study was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics 2017 system software (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: In 20 (50%) patients, hemorrhages on the skin and mucous membranes were diagnosed as vascular purpura. Before the start of therapy, 7 (17.5%) patients had thrombosis, including leg vein thrombosis (5 patients), ischemic stroke (2 patients). There was a direct correlation between thrombotic complications and cutaneous hemorrhagic syndrome (p=0.007). In 15 (75%) cases, cutaneous hemorrhagic syndrome was accompanied by hypercoagulable shifts in the hemostasis system. Of the 20 patients with cutaneous hemorrhagic syndrome, 19 (95%) patients had kidney damage, including 15 patients with nephrotic syndrome. Hematoma type of bleeding, as well as heavy bleeding was not observed, including after a biopsy of the internal organs. According to the totality of hemostasis indicators, hypercoagulation syndrome was more often observed (in 23; 56% of patients). Hypocoagulation was diagnosed only in 2 (5%) patients with liver damage, 16 (39%) patients had normocoagulation. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous hemorrhagic syndrome is the most common clinical manifestation of disorders in the hemostasis system in patients with AL-amyloidosis. The relationship of hemorrhages on the skin with nephrotic syndrome has been established, which may indicate a single pathogenetic mechanism. Cutaneous hemorrhagic syndrome is associated with hypercoagulable shifts in hemostasis and a high risk of thrombotic complications.

Differences in the Differentiation Potential and Relative Levels of Gene Expression in the Bone Marrow-Derived Fibroblast Colony-Forming Units in Patients during the Onset of Aplastic Anemia Depending on the Disease Severity.

The differentiation potential of individual clones of fibroblast CFU (CFU-F) was studied and the relative expression level of genes was analyzed in the culture of CFU-F from the bone marrow in patients with non-severe and severe forms of aplastic anemia at the onset of the disease. The differentiation potential of CFU-F clones was determined by the relative expression of marker genes using quantitative PCR. In aplastic anemia, the ratio of CFU-F clones with different differentiation potential changes, but the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are different in non-severe and severe aplastic anemia. In the culture of CFU-F in non-severe and severe aplastic anemia, the relative expression level of genes associated with the maintenance of the hematopoietic stem cell in the bone marrow niche changes, but the decrease in the expression of immunoregulatory genes occurs in severe form only, which may reflect differences in the pathogenesis of non-severe and severe aplastic anemia.

Bone Marrow Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Patients with Aplastic Anemia Retain Their Ability to Support Hematopoietic Precursors despite Pronounced Changes in Gene Expression.

The properties of bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) of patients with aplastic anemia at the onset of the disease are studied insufficiently. The aim of this work was to test the ability of MSC from patients with aplastic anemia to maintain hematopoietic precursors and to analyze the expression of genes associated with hematopoiesis and immune response. The ability of MSC to maintain hematopoietic precursors was determined by counting cobblestone area-forming cells; gene expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR. It was shown that MSC of patients with aplastic anemia preserve their ability to maintain hematopoietic precursors. Pronounced changes in the expression of the VEGFA and ANGPT1 genes were found. MSC from aplastic anemia patients with PNH clone significantly differ from those from aplastic anemia patients without PNH clone in terms of the expression of the SDF1, IL1R, and VEGFA genes. Changes in gene expression can be associated with the pathogenesis of the disease.

[Development of program therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia under the age of 60 years, based on the principles of differentiated effects].

AIM: To analyze the results of treatment in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within protocols AML-17 and modified AML-17 (mOML-17) as part of two consecutive pilot studies in order to develop the best treatment strategy for AML patients aged below 60 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 89 AML patients who were aged below 60 years and received treatment within the AML-17 and mOML-17 protocols. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies were performed in all patients. The presence of mutations in the FLT3, NPM1, CEBPa genes was assessed by fragment analysis. 35 patients underwent a study for mutTP53, mutRUNX1 using next generation sequencing (NGS). The minimum residual population of tumor cells was evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using the procedures of the SAS 9.3 package. RESULTS: Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 89.7% of patients treated with intensive chemotherapy (CT) courses and in 52.4% of patients treated with low-dose CT courses. 8.8% of intensively treated patients were refractory to therapy, and 38% did not respond to low-dose exposure. The early mortality rate was 3%. The overall survival and disease-free 3-year survival for patients included in 2 consecutive studies was were 60% and 67%, respectively. The level of minimal residual disease (MRD) after the first course of induction CT was an important prognostic indicator. The three-year relapse-free survival for patients in whom CR was achieved after the first course of induction CT and in whom MRD was not detected (MRD-negative status was obtained) was 90% compared to 43% for patients who were MRD positive after the first course of induction CT (p=0.00001). CONCLUSION: The key factor that significantly affects the long-term results of therapy is the rate of MRD after the first course of induction CT.

[Multiple primary tumor of hematopoietic tissue: myeloid sarcoma in combination with mantle cell lymphoma. Case report].

The prevalence of multiple primary tumors has significantly increased last time. The question of choosing the optimal tactics of therapy today not fully resolved. Particular interest is the simultaneous detection of two neoplasms of similar origin in one study biopsy material. This publication presents a case of simultaneous diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma and mantle cell lymphoma in a 65-year-old patient, which required use of two different chemotherapy protocols. This example shows the need to use an extended diagnostic approach at all stages of the therapy, which allows choosing right tactics of therapy and achieving complete remission of two neoplasms.

[A case report of familial dyskeratosis congenital. Case report].

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a hereditary syndrome of bone marrow failure, which develops because of telomeres defects and combines with cancer predisposition. Its classical clinical features are skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, oral leukoplakia (skin-mucosa triad). The goal is to describe the algorithm of diagnosis, clinical specificities of DC and specific treatment for cases of DC in one family. The present report includes descriptions of diagnosis and treatment of family members diagnosed for the first time as having a DC. The report shows an importance of all diagnostic stages: from a medical history and clinical picture to an application of modern high-tech diagnostic methods (flow-FISH, NGS). The report underlines an importance of diagnosis of all family members for excluding an asymptomatic form after a case of DC has been already detected in that family. A high frequency of a toxicity and secondary neoplasia makes it necessary to realize an individual approach at treatment of each patient with DC (the earliest start of androgen treatment, prompt decision of implementation of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation). The knowledge of pathogenesis, clinical features and principles of diagnosis and therapy of this disease is relevant to pediatricians and hematologists.

[Immunosupressive therapy of aplastic anemia patients: successes and failures (single center experiment 2007-2016)].

Treatment programs for patients with acquired aplastic anemia include two main therapeutic options: allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and combined immunosuppressive therapy (IST). However, combined IST remains the method of choice for most adult AA patients. This study included 120 AA patients who received IST at the National Research Center for Hematology in 20072016. The analysis was applied to 120 patients. Median age was 25 (1765) years, M/F: 66/54, SAA/NSAA: 66%/34%. Effectiveness of IST was carried out in 120 patients with AA. This group did not include 8 SAA patients who died during the first 3 months from the start of treatment from severe infectious complications (early deaths 6.2%) and 2 AA patients who dropped out of surveillance. The observation time was 55 (6120) months. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH clone) was detected in 67% of AA patients. The median PNH clone size (granulocytes) was 2.5 (0.0199.5)%. The treatment was according to the classical protocol of combined IST: horse antithymocytic globulin and cyclosporin A. Most of patients (87%) responded to combined immunosuppressive therapy. To achieve a positive response, it was sufficient to conduct one course of ATG to 64% of patients, two courses of ATG 24% of patients and 2% of patients responded only after the third course of ATG. A positive response after the first course was obtained in 64% of patients included in the analysis. Most of the responding patients (93%) achieve a positive response after 36 months from the start of treatment. Therefore, the 3rd6th months after the first course of ATG in the absence of an answer to the first line of therapy can be considered the optimal time for the second course of ATG. This tactic allows to get an answer in another 58% of patients who did not respond to the first course of ATG. The probability of an overall 10-year survival rate was 90% (95% confidence interval 83.696.2).

[Morphological and immunohistochemical predictors of renal response to therapy patients with myeloma cast nephropathy and dialysis-dependent acute kidney injury].

AIM: Reveal morphological and immunohistochemical predictors of reversibility of dialysis-dependent acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with myeloma cast nephropathy (MCN) based on the study of kidney biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal pathological findings were studied in 36 patients with MCN and dialysis-dependent stage 3 AKI (AKIN, 2012). The study of biopsy samples was performed by a semi-quantitative and quantitative analysis using computer morphometry. The expression of E-cadherin, vimentin and-smooth muscle actin was determined immunohistochemically in the tubular cells and interstitium. Induction therapy for 26 patients was carried out to bortezomib-based programs; in 10 patients other schemes were used. A comparative analysis of morphological changes in nephrobiopathy depending on the renal response was performed in patients with achieved hematologic remission. RESULTS: Improved renal function was observed only in patients with hematologic response to therapy. There were no differences in the number of sclerotic glomeruli, protein casts, the area of inflammatory interstitial infiltration, and the degree of acute tubular damage in patients with and without renal response. In patients with renal response compared with patients without improving renal function, the area of interstitial fibrosis was less (24.9% and 45.9%, respectively;p=0.001), and the area of E-cadherin expression was larger (15.9% and 7.1%, respectively;p=0.006). Interstitial fibrosis of 40% or more and/or the area of expression of E-cadherin less than 10% of the area of tubulo-interstitium have an unfavorable prognostic value in achieving a renal response in MCN. CONCLUSION: If the interstitial fibrosis area is 40% or more and the expression area of E-cadherin is less than 10%, the probability of the absence of a renal response is 93.3% (OR=24.5) even when a hematological response to induction therapy is achieved. The number of protein casts, the prevalence of acute tubular damage and inflammatory interstitial infiltration have not prognostic value.

[Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma complicated by dialysis-dependent renal failure].

AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period from May 2010 to December 2016 fourteen MM patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure aged 48 to 65 years underwent auto-HSCT. After the induction therapy complete response, very good partial response, partial response were documented in 64, 29, 7% of patients, respectively. In no case was a renal response achieved. Haematopoietic stem cell mobilization in most patients (13/14) was performed according to the scheme: G-CSF 10 g/kg. Melphalan in 3 dosages was used as pre-transplant conditioning: 100, 140 and 200 mg/m2; 13 patients underwent a single and in one case underwent a tandem auto-HSCT against the background of hemodialysis. Evaluation of the antitumor and renal response was assessed on the 100th day after auto-HSCT. Subsequently, against the background of programmed hemodialysis and in the setting of high-dosed melphalan (100200 mg/m2), 13 patients underwent a single and one patient underwent a tandem auto-HSCT. At +100 days after auto-HSCT, an antitumor response and renal response were assessed. RESULTS: The period of agranulocytosis after auto-HSCT was from 5 to 12 days (median 8,5) and was accompanied by infectious complications, cardiac and neurological dysfunctions. At +100 days after auto-HSCT, the complete response was confirmed in 71% patients and very good partial response was confirmed in 29% patients. The minimal renal response was registered in 2 patients (14%), hemodialysis was stopped. The transplant-related mortality was absent. After a median follow-up of 53 months 5-year progression-free survival was 59%, and overall survival was 93%. CONCLUSION: Carrying out auto-HSCT in patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure contributed to the achievement of a minimal renal response in 14% of cases, which allowed these patients to stop hemodialysis. Patients whose conditioning regimen was performed using melphalan at a dose of 200 mg/m2showed more frequent complications in the early post-transplant period compared to patients who received a lower dose of melphalan (100140 mg/m2). Auto-HSCT in MM patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure is a feasible and effective treatment method, which in some cases contributes to independence from hemodialysis.

Effect of Erythrocyte Density on Blood Clot Properties in Healthy Individuals and in Patients with Hemophilia A.

We measured specific volume and hematocrit of blood clots prepared from the whole blood of patients with hemophilia A and healthy male volunteers. It was shown that in the hematocrit range of 43.5-52.5%, specific volume of the blood clot in hemophilia patients with low level of factor VIII (1-4%) was higher than in volunteers. After injection of factor VIII, specific volume of blood clots in hemophilia patients decreased. Hematocrit of the blood clots derived from the whole blood linearly depended on the mean erythrocyte density in both volunteers (r=-0.74, p=0.01) and patients with factor VIII level of 1-4% (r=-0.95, p<0.0001). The increase in the mean erythrocyte density led to a decrease in blood clot hematocrit. The curve describing blood clot hematocrit as a function of the mean erythrocyte density in hemophilia patients was lower than in healthy volunteers. The increase in factor VIII level was associated with an increase in blood clot hematocrit. The results showed that blood clot hematocrit depends on the mean erythrocyte density, and therefore, hematocrit of the blood clot can be changed by modulating the properties of erythrocyte population.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SEROLOGICAL MARKERS OF HERPES VIRUSES AND QUANTITATIVE IMMUNOGLOBULINOPATHIES IN PRIMARY PATIENTS WITH ANGIOIMMUNOBLASTIC T-CELL LYMPHOMA.

INTRODUCTION: Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in most cases. It is believed polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia observed in 53-80% of AITL patients has anti-herpes viral antibodies as its substrate. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare serological markers of herpes viruses and quantitative immunoglobulinopathies of classes M and G in primary patients with AITL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 26 primary patients with newly diagnosed AITL treated at the National Research Center for Hematology from 2002 to 2017 were enrolled in the study. The male/female ratio was 16/10; median age was 62 (29-81) years. The levels of total immunoglobulins of classes M and G, serological markers of EBV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV 1, 2) were assessed in all patients. RESULTS: Significant relationship was found between the presence of virus-specific IgM (IgM HSV 1, 2, IgM CMV, IgM VCA EBV) and an elevated level of total immunoglobulins of class M (p.

Immunoglobulinopathies in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

AIM: The aim of the study was to characterize quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies in patients with AITL at the onset of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 55 patients with newly diagnosed AITL were enrolled in the study, the male/female ratio was 30/25; median age was 61 (29-81) years. Diagnosis was based on standard WHO criteria. Immunochemical studies of blood serum included serum protein electrophoresis/immunofixation, nephelometric quantification of total immunoglobulins, serum free light chain assay. RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies were determined in 49 (89,1%) of 55 pts. Quantitative immunoglobulinopathies were revealed in 47 (85.5%) of 55 cases, qualitative - in 14 (25,5%). Combination quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies was observed in 12 (21,8%) of 55 pts. The detected immunoglobulinopathies were divided into 4 groups: polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, oligoclonal gammapathy, and monoclonal gammapathy. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia was marked in 41 (74.5%) of 55 pts, elevated level of IgG was determined in 27 (49,15%) of 55 cases, IgM - in 18 (32,7%) and IgA - in 21 (38.2%). Interestingly, polyclonal IgE hypergammaglobulinaemia was detected in 12 (48,0%) of 25 cases of performed studies. Hypogammaglobulinaemia was detected in 8 (14,5%) of 55 cases. Oligoclonal gammapathy was determined in 4 (7.3%) of 55 pts. Monoclonal gammapathy was revealed in 11 (20,0%) of 55 cases. The amount of monoclonal immunoglobulin varied from 2.6 to 14.1 g/l. Monoclonal immunoglobulin Gk was detected in 5 of 11 pts, Gλ - in 2, Mλ - in 2, Mk - in 2. Monoclonal gammapathy was accompanied by polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia in 9 of 11 cases, hypogammaglobulinaemia - in 2. CONCLUSION: Quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies are observed in most patients at the onset of AITL. Quantitative abnormalities were determined more often than qualitative. Monoclonal gammapathy can be a manifestation of lymphoproliferation and other concomitant disorders. The prognostic value of immunochemical parameters is still unclear and requires dynamic observation and study.

[Adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias: Conclusions of the Russian prospective multicenter study ALL-2009]. / Ostrye V-limfoblastnye leikozy vzroslykh: vyvody iz Rossiiskogo prospektivnogo mnogotsentrovogo issledovaniia OLL-2009.

AIM: To analyze the efficiency and reproducibility of the ALL-2009 protocol within the Russian prospective multicenter study based on different principles of cytostatic effects (non-intensive, but continuous cytotoxic treatment and a small number of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The ALL-2009 (NCT01193933) study conducted in April 2009 to December 2016 included 194 patients (95 males and 99 females) aged 15 to 55 years (median age 28 years) with Ph-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). There was early pre-B-cell ALL in 54 patients, common ALL in 101, pre-B ALL in 39, initial leukocytosis in 9.4·109/l (0.4-899.0), lactate dehydrogenase in 901 IU (31-13 059), an initial central nervous system lesion in 17 (8.7%), mediastinal injury in 3 (1.5%), and splenomegaly in 111 (57.2%). The results of standard cytogenetic analysis are known in 113 (60.4%) patients. Normal karyotypes were detected in 49 (54.5%) out of the patients; t(4;11) in 9 (5.4%), t(1;19) in 2 (1.2%), and other karyotypic abnormalities in 53 (46.9%). Thirteen (7.8%) patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission (CR); their proportion did not differ in the federal and regional centers. RESULTS: The frequency of CR achievement was the same in the federal and regional centers and generally amounted to 87.5%. Early (8.8%) and CR (9.6%) mortality rates remained high despite the low aggressiveness of cytotoxic action, necessitating the improvement of auxiliary treatment. The five-year overall survival (OS) rates vary considerably in the federal and regional centers (72.6 and 43.8%), the relapse-free survival (RFS) (70.2 and 53.4%) and recurrence risk (23.1 and 36.5%) are comparable. This suggests that the non-intensive, but continuous exposure principle built in the ALL-2009 protocol makes it possible to reproduce the envisaged treatment program and to achieve satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: The ALL-2009 protocol allows both the federal and regional centers to obtain the long-term results comparable with those of current foreign studies: OS (54.2%), RFS (56.5%); and relapse risk (35.4%). Multivariate analysis has identified age (over 30 years), initial leukocytosis (30·109/l and more) and t(4;11) among the main clinical prognostic factors. Gene mutation detection evaluated in a small number of patients (8/36) is not a poor prognostic sign. There is a need for further investigations with centralized evaluation of the mutation status of leukemic cells and the clearance of minimal residual disease.

[Leukemization of follicular lymphoma: The features of diagnostic and clinical course of a rare form of the disease]. / Leikemizatsiia follikuliarnoi limfomy: osobennosti diagnostiki i klinicheskogo techeniia redkoi formy zabolevaniia.

AIM: To characterize a group of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) with leukemization and to evaluate the efficiency of different therapy options (R-CHOP/R-FMC/high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT)). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 18 (7.2%) out of 250 patients diagnosed with FL, who were examined and treated at the National Research Center for Hematology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, were found to have leukemic FL (tumor cells in the peripheral blood smears were detected by cytology and flow cytofluorometry. Eight of the 18 patients had extranodal foci of involvement: lung, stomach, spleen, lumbar muscles, upper jaw, and vertebrae. Bone marrow was involved in 17 of the 18 patients. Tumor biopsy specimens displayed a morphological pattern of indolent FL in the majority of patients (10 of the 18 patients had cytological grade 1-2 tumors and 14 patients had a nodular or nodular-diffuse tumor growth pattern). The patients underwent R-CHOP/R-FMC) or HDCT cycles as first-line therapy, followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 66 months (range 12-217 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 70% (10% SEM) and 35% (15% SEM), respectively. The median OS was not reached; the median PFS was 3 years. CONCLUSION: Leukemic FL is characterized by low OS and PFS rates. The most effective chemotherapy regimens were R-CHOP, followed by HDCT and auto-SCT in first remission or R-FMC. These cycles can to a greater extent achieve a complete eradication of the bone marrow tumor clone. Due to the relapsing course of FL and the aggressiveness of leukemic FL, it is expedient to carry out auto-SCT in first remission.

[Numbers of early CD34+ progenitors of bone marrow hematopoiesis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]. / Kolichestvo rannikh predshestvennikov krovetvoreniia CD34+ v kostnom mozge u bol'nykh diffuznoi V-krupnokletochnoi limfomoi.

AIM: To estimate the number of early progenitors of bone marrow (BM) hematopoiesis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the late period after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigators analyzed the results of BM immunophenotypic and histological studies in 40 patients (median age, 57 years) with DLBCL who received HDCT according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program at the Hematology Research Center (HRC), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (MHRF), in the period 2002 to 2009. A comparison group consisted of 19 patients (median age, 70 years) treated according to the CHOP/R-CHOP program at HRC, MHRF, in the same period. The median follow-up period was 6 years. The results of BM examination were analyzed before and 5-10 years after the end of HDCT. Immunophenotypic study determined the number of early CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors. BM cellularity, the size of erythroid, granulocytic and megakaryocytic lineages, their ratio, the presence of dysplasia signs, and secondary stromal changes were histologically determined. The BM toxic injury signs found for the first time were evaluated as manifestations of late myelotoxicity. RESULTS: At 5-to-10-year follow-ups after the end of HDCT according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program, the patients showed a smaller number of early CD34+ progenitors of BM hematopoiesis in 31 (78%) cases than those treated according to the CHOP/R-CHOP-21 program (n=8 (2%)) (p=0.005). Myelopoiesis with decreased CD34+ cell count was characterized by hypocellularity in 8 (26%) patients (p=0.07), the narrowing of megakaryocytic lineage in 14 (45%) (p=0.006), erythroid one in 7 (23%) (p=0.01), and granulocytic one in 8 (26%) (p=0.92), pronounced secondary stromal changes in 15 (48%) (p=0.03), and grade 1 thrombocytopenia in 13 (42%); p=0.02). CONCLUSION: There is evidence that the number of early CD34+ progenitors of BM hematopoiesis decreased in patients with DLBCL in the late period after HDCT. The investigation shows the relationship of the reduction in the number of early CD34+ progenitors of BM hematopoiesis in the late follow-up period to the presence of pronounced secondary changes in the BM stroma (p=0.02). There was no statistically significant relationship of the decreased number of CD34+ cells to the age younger or older than 60 years, to the period after the end of chemotherapy, to gender or presence of specific BM injury.

[Late myelotoxicity of high-dose chemotherapy according to the modified NHL-BFM-90 program in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]. / Otdalennaya mielotoksichnost' vysokodoznoi khimioterapii po modifitsirovannoi programme NHL-BFM-90 u bol'nykh diffuznoi V-krupnokletochnoi limfomoi.

AIM: to evaluate late myelotoxicity (MT) relate to high-dose chemotherapy (CT) according to the modified NHL-BFM-90 (mNHL-BFM-90) program in adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The results of a complex clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examination, including cytologic, histologic, and routine cytogenetic studies of the bone marrow (BM), were analyzed in 40 DLBCL patients treated according to the mNHL-BFM-90 program in the National Research Center for Hematology (NRCH), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (MHRF), in 2002 to 2009; among them, there were 20 men and 20 women (median age, 57 years). A comparison group consisted of 19 patients who had received high-dose СНОР/R-СНОР-21 CT in HRC, MHRF, in the same period of time; out of them, there were 8 men and 11 women (median age, 70 years). The median posttherapy follow-up period was 6 years. The results of BM studies were analyzed before and 5-10 years after treatment in complete remission. The cytological and histological studies of BM determined its cellularity, the sizes of erythroid, granulocytic, and megakaryocytic lineages, their ratios, the signs of dysplasia, and stromal dysplastic changes. Routine BM cytogenetic study was conducted to identify karyological problems. Only myelopoietic changes that had been revealed for the first time 5-10 years after completion of CT were kept in mind as late MT. Cases of baseline and post-CT changes and those of baseline and no post-CT changes were not taken into account. RESULTS: Cytopenic syndromes (having no signs of myelopoietic lineage dysplasia or needing no blood component replacement transfusions) were revealed in 52% of the patients in the high-dose CT; thrombocytopenia amounted to 46%. In the late follow-up period, the patient group after high-dose mNHL-BFM-90 CT were found to have BM hypocellularity in 15 (38%) cases, a narrowing of erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages in 13 (33%) and 19 (48%) cases, respectively, and obvious secondary stromal changes in 17 (43%). The first 6 patients underwent routine BM cytogenetic study; all the patients were ascertained to have a normal karyotype; in this connection further BM study was stopped. CONCLUSION: The late MT of high-dose mNHL-BFM 90 CT is statistically significantly higher than that of the standard CHOP/R-CHOP-21 therapy. However, signs of myelodysplastic syndromes and those of cytopenia requiring blood component transfusions were observed in none patient.

[Experience in investigating splenic red pulp lymphoma]. / Opyt izucheniya limfomy krasnoi pul'py selezenki.

AIM: To generalize hematologists' experience of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of splenic red pulp lymphoma (SRPL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-seven splenic biopsy specimens taken from patients with different B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases were examined in the Hematology Research Center in 2013-2014. The diagnosis of SRPL was based on the morphological, immunohistochemical, immunophenotypic, and molecular examinations of the splenic biopsy specimens, blood and bone marrow (BM) tests in 4 (4.6%) cases. RESULTS: There was significant splenomegaly in all SRPL cases, lymphocytosis in 56 to 94% (leukocytes, 55 and 75·109/l in 2 cases), circulation of hairy lymphocytes with the phenotypes CD20+ (markedly), CD11c+/±, CD103+/± (weakly), LAIR-1+, CD25-, CD5-, CD10-, and CD23-, which did not contain tartate-resistant acid phosphatase, without BRAFV600E mutation, BM with insignificant lymphoid infiltration of CD20+, CD25-, Annexin 1-, and Cyclin D1-. The weight of the spleen averaged 3900 g (1450-9500 g); its tissue exhibited lymphoid infiltration of the red pulp with the phenotypes CD20+, DBA.44+, CD25-, Annexin1-, Cyclin D1-, CD103-, CD123-, CD27-, focal СD11c±, and TRAP±. Four patients (2 after splenectomy (SE) and 2 after SE and chemotherapy with cladribine and rituximab) are being followed up in remission. CONCLUSION: SRPL is a rare disease that should be presumed to be in significant splenomegaly and lymphocytosis with hairy lymphocytes, which have only some markers for classical hairy cell leukemia (HCL), in minor BM lesion. SE is the standard for diagnosis and treatment. The differential diagnosis of SRPL with HCL has clear criteria and that with HCL-v is undetected.

[Visceral leishmaniasis concurrent with splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma].

Splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (SMZBCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma that presents with morphologically mature lymphoid cells corresponding in their immunological characteristics to secondary follicular marginal zone lymphocytes. It is clinically characterized by splenomegaly, moderate lymphocytosis, usually focal bone marrow lesion, sometimes moderate of monoclonal immunoglobulin in the serum (generally IgM or IgG) and/or urea, and a relatively benign course. Leishmaniasis is a transmissible natural focal infectious endemic disease that has a great diversity of clinical manifestations. The authors describe Russia's first case of SMZBCL concurrent with visceral leishmaniasis in a 52-year-old female patient admitted to a hematology hospital with weakness, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. The simultaneous detection of lymphoma and leishmaniasis in the same biopsy specimen is extremely rare. Visceral leishmaniasis should be borne in mind as an opportunistic infection in patients with malignancies, particularly in immunocompromised persons who live or have stayed in the endemic areas.

[Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: The problems of diagnosis and treatment]. / Gepatolienal'naia T-kletochnaia limfoma: problemy diagnostiki i lecheniia.

In the past decade, a notable advance has been made in the understanding of the pathogenesis of NK/T-cell lymphomas; however, their diagnosis remains difficult because of their rarity and clinical and morphological variabilities. The paper generalizes the ten-year experience of the Hematology Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, in diagnosing and treating hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL), considers the problems of differential diagnosis with other hematological diseases occurring with similar clinical and laboratory symptoms, and lays down current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. A clinician's view of the problem of diagnosis and treatment of this disease is given. HSTL is shown to be a heterogeneous group of diseases differing in a T-cell receptor chain gene rearrangement, the clinical course of the disease, and overall survival (OS). According to our data, 3-year OS was 12%; the median survival was 26 months. Two-year OS for γδ and αß HSTL was equal to 25 and 70%, respectively. The difference in OS for the variants of HSTL failed to reach statistical significance (because the sample might be insufficient).

[Synchronous and metachronous myeloid and lymphoid tumors].

AIM: To determine the clinical features of multiple primary tumors (MPT) in patients with hemoblastoses, to develop treatment policy for synchronous and metachronous tumors, and to determine the impact of chemotherapy for one disease on the course and prognosis of another one. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation included 20 patients with multiple primary synchronous and metachronous myeloid and lymphoid tumors, who had been followed up at the Outpatient Department of the Hematology Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. The distribution of patients by nosological entities was as follows: 17 (85%) patients with myeloproliferative diseases (MPDs) concurrent with lymphoproliferative diseases (LPDs) and 3 (15%) with two types of MPD. A special group comprised 3 patients who successively developed 3 malignant diseases: cancer/B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)/Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+CML); cancer/polycythemia vera (PCV)/B-CLL; cancer/essential thrombocythemia (ETC)/multiple myeloma (MM). RESULTS: The Outpatient Department of the Hematology Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, followed up 20 patients with synchronous and metachronous tumors in 1996 to 2013. The patients' age was 42 to 82 years (64 years). The female/male ratio was 1:1.2. Metachronous tumors were 1.5-fold higher than synchronous ones. The time to detection of secondary hemoblastosis averaged 3.3 years; the longest interval was 14 years; the mean coexistence of 2 tumors was 4.8 years (1-11 years). The total length of the follow-up was 8 years (1-19 years). Among them, there were 17 (85%) patients with 2 chronic hematologic tumors with a myeloid or lymphoid phenotype; 3 (15%) of the 20 patients had 3 malignant diseases (cancer/ B-CLL)/Ph+CML, cancer/PCV/B-CLL, cancer/ETC/MM. In the group of 17 patients, 13 (76%) were diagnosed as having Ph-negative MPDs (PCV in 4 patients, primary myelofibrosis in 4, ETC in 4, undifferentiated MPD in1) and 4 (24%) patients had Ph+CML. This patient group was found to have the following LPDs: CLL in 5 (30%), hairy cell leukemia in 1 (5%), paraproteinemic hemoblastoses in 11 (65%). MPD preceded LPD in 8 (47%) patients; the development interval between two tumors averaged 6 years (1 to 14 years). LPD preceded MPD in 3 (18%) patients; the interval averaged 5 years (2 to 17 years). MPD and LPD appeared synchronously in 6 (35%) patients. CONCLUSION: The fact that 2 malignancies or more may occur in one patient determines the need for a careful follow-up of patients with blood system diseases. The activity of one hematologic disease or another is a leading criterion for choosing a therapeutic tactic.